Only Hyundai sold more cars in US in '09

There is good news for one auto manufacturer. The Detroit News is reporting that Hyundai sold more cars in the United States--the only major car company to do so.

"In 2009, we learned to never let a crisis go to waste," said John Krafcik, Hyundai U.S. president, paraphrasing a comment made famous last fall by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Hyundai holds 4.3 percent of the U.S. market, up from 3.1 percent through November 2008, according to Autodata Corp.

Its rise began in January when Hyundai launched its Assurance Program, which struck a chord with consumers facing economic uncertainty. The deal was simple: If a new car buyer lost a job, Hyundai would buy the vehicle back and there would be no mark on the buyer's credit.

Quick, clean and simple, the much-acclaimed program put Hyundai on many people's radar, industry analysts and Hyundai executives said.

Hyandai is ranked tops in fuel economy as well.

The Korean firm of course did not receive federal bailout cash.

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